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Nano Bite: January 2013

Welcome to the January Nano Bite, the monthly e-newsletter for the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net).

What's new?

→ Online Brown-Bag Conversations

The NISE Network is launching a series of online brown-bag conversations focused on helping NISE Network partners share their work and learn from others in the Network. The aim of the online brown-bag conversations is to increase the number of professional development opportunities available to NISE Net partners, create more channels for Network partners to learn from each other directly, and create ways for partners to follow-up on ideas or efforts that emerge at in-person meetings. You can find details for all of the NISE Network's online brown-bag conversations on the nisenet.org events page. Details and sign-up links for the first set of conversations are below:

The Science Behind NanoDays Activities- February 12, 2013, 1-2 pm Eastern Time: Are you interested in learning more about the science behind the Nanodays activities and/or applications of the research topics covered in the NanoDays kit? Do you want to know more about how the Nanodays kits are related to cutting-edge research currently taking place in labs around the world? Then please join us for an exciting discussion and Q&A. Feel free to bring your questions and we will try our best to answer them! For more details and to sign up for this conversation, please go to: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1133797/The-Science-Behind-NanoDays-Activities-Part-1-2-12-13

Bust Out the Tablet for NanoDays! Mobile Devices and Nanotechnology Conversations - Tuesday, March 5, 2013, 1-2 pm Eastern Time: If you're using mobile devices on the museum floor and you're holding a NanoDays event, why not combine the two!? For this brown-bag, we'll discuss ways to supplement and extend visitor interactions about nano using a mobile device like an iPad. We will discuss nano apps, facilitation strategies, and unconventional uses of mobile devices to reach your audience about nano. If you already use mobile devices for nano, we will also have time for you to share! For more details and to sign up for this conversation, please go to: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1141410/Bust-Out-the-Tablet-for-NanoDays-Mobile-Devices-and-Nanotechnology-Conversations-3-5-13

→NanoDays 2013 Physical Kits Have Shipped!
The NanoDays 2013 Physical Kits have been shipped to all partners awarded one. Click Here for more details on what is included in the 2013 Physical Kit and to find the many materials available for promoting your event and preparing staff for the activities.

→ NanoDays 2013 Digital Kit is Available
If you did not receive a 2013 Physical Kit, the NanoDays 2013 Digital Kit is available for download by anyone. The 2013 Digital Kit has the files for instructions, lesson plans, supply lists, marketing materials, and multimedia files for the NanoDays 2013 activities.

→Tiny TechTiny Tech is a series of short radio episodes focusing on the science and engineering of the very small. Each episode presents an aspect of nanoscale objects, ranging from the effects of size on chemical and physical properties to new technological applications in fields as diverse as electronic devices and medicine.

→Presidential Decisions GameThe Presidential Decisions Flash game presents you, as the President, with several national decisions about nanotechnology. Advisors and lobbyists give suggestions as you try to remain popular and get re-elected.

What Else?

→ 2012 MRS Fall Meeting Symposium ZZ - Communicating Social Relevancy in Materials Science and Engineering Education
If you were unable to attend the 2012 MRS Fall Meeting in person, you can now view videos of presentations from Symposium ZZ - Communicating Social Relevancy in Materials Science and Engineering Education featuring presentations by many NISE Network partners. Presentations are available online here: http://www.prolibraries.com/mrs/?select=sessionlist&conferenceID=1&packageID=5. To access the presentations, Materials Research Society (MRS) members must log in with their username and ID; non-MRS Members may create a log-in account. Free access available for a limited time only.

→2012 Network-Wide Meeting in Boston
Approximately 225 partners participated in the 2012 Network-Wide Meeting held in Boston December 11-12, 2012. The program featured a plenary discussion of next generation nanotechnologies, 21 concurrent sessions, themed discussion tables, and a partner poster showcase! For details on the sessions and links to most of the presentations, please go to: http://nisenet.org/network-wide-meeting-2012/sessions

Partner Highlight

→ Very Small Science Creating Very Big Ideas at the Maine Discovery Museum!
Since the arrival of the Nano exhibition, the Maine Discovery Museum (MDM) in Bangor, ME has been working hard to create a lot more excitement about nano science, engineering, and technology! The education and exhibits departments at MDM are collaborating to make connections to existing exhibits and activities through the use of graphic molecules and by introducing a special nano-themed treasure hunt. MDM has also made a few fun (and cheap!) additions to their Nano gallery, such as painting the associated walls green and purple (with paint left over from another project) and using supplementary visuals like posters (in green and purple frames) and graphics. For more on the Maine Discovery Museum's nano work, read this Partner Highlight by Ali Jackson of the Sciencenter, the regional hub leader for the Northeast region.

Making Steam Without Boiling Water, Thanks to Nanoparticles: It is possible to create steam within seconds by focusing sunlight on nanoparticles mixed into water, according to new research. Such a sun-powered boiler could desalinate sea water, distill alcohol, sterilize medical equipment, and other useful tasks in areas that lack electricity or burnable fuels according to researchers.

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